Day 263 - Today was the first day of a three day Balloon Festival - this is the 4th year for this event, and apparently it has grown quickly to what we saw over the three days. There were upwards of 60 balloons in the air. We arrived the night before and the winds were pretty strong and we were afraid they wouldn't go up, but up they went the next day and for all three days they had morning and late afternoon launches over the Lake and then what they call an "evening glow" which was amazing!

Along with that they had bi-planes coming by three times a day, and sky jumpers with the parasail type shoot jumping out at 13,000 feet as many as 13 and coming over the fair grounds (yes, I did try to sign up to make the jump, but I waited too long and they were full - I'll have to save that for the next time)! We heard that this was the first time that the weather was perfect for the launches and every one went up!

The one glitch was on the Saturday afternoon launch only 2 balloons went up and we found out later that the traffic was so backed up going over the bridge to the launch site, that the guys couldn't get there in time to launch. And, we can attest to that as we were in line for about 20 minutes trying to get there as well. Little did we know that getting out of that parking lot after the "glow" would take 40 minutes before we moved 10 feet, and finally the traffic started to move and we got out after 50 minutes.

Comments

Aren't Baloon Festivals just the best and most colorful events!?! Glad to see you didn't run out of film! (Now that we can look back at it, wasn't film just a hassle?)

Now that you have published 3185 pictures, maybe it is time to put the camera down and get a job. What I'm getting at is that DISNEY has posted an opening for a part-time naturalist at the resort. And I, for one, would love to see you again.

Hmmm, I wonder how much time is "part time?" But I am sure they would hold this job for a while, since we are off season.....

Joe and Ginny
on Jan 28, 2014 at 09:51PM

Did you get to go on a balloon ride? Looks like a lot of fun.. Are you ever going to make it back east? Take and keep having those wonderful experiences..
xoxoxoxo Joey

Jan Marsengill
on Jan 28, 2014 at 09:54PM

Come on back!! You are missed , and by the way those balloons are fantastic!
Jan and Herb

Claudia
on Jan 29, 2014 at 05:41AM

So glad we were able to share this event with you and Nick! Hope it isn't the last! Miss you!